Cuthbert House, erected in 1959 as a display house for the famous Ballarat begonias. It replaced the earlier Keel House. The conservatory was not open to the public, but the flowers could be viewed through the windows. It was replaced in 1995 with the current Robert Clark Conservatory. The former Lakeside Hospital can be seen in the background. Mrs Bon Strange and her husband Bert were well known Ballarat residents. When Mrs Strange died some years ago, her extensive slide collection was sorted through and those relevant to Ballarat were gifted to the Ballarat Library. greenhouse, botanical gardens, lake wendouree, lakeside hospital, hothouse, ballarat, conservatory, begonias

Mrs Bon Strange and her husband Bert were well known Ballarat residents. When Mrs Strange died some years ago, her extensive slide collection was sorted through and those relevant to Ballarat were gifted to the Ballarat Library. fernery, botanical gardens, lake wendouree, ballarat

This image perfectly captures the Botanical Gardens in late afternoon light. The Statuary Pavilion was built following a bequest from James Russell Thompson, who was originally from Scotland. The Wallace Statue was purchased with money remaining in the bequest after the Pavilion was established. Mrs Bon Strange and her husband Bert were well known Ballarat residents. When Mrs Strange died some years ago, her extensive slide collection was sorted through and those relevant to Ballarat were gifted to the Ballarat Library. statues, statuary pavillion, botanical gardens, lake wendouree, william wallace statue, charles summer, james russell thompson

James Russell Thompson (1818-1886) a successful mining investor and stockbroker of the Ballarat Stock Exchange, gifted the pavilion and the statues within, as a 10,000 pound bequest to the City in his will. The pavilion, designed by architect T.E. Molloy on an octagonal plan with a convex curved roof, was constructed in 1887, and houses the statues Flight from Pompeii, Rebekah, Susannah, Modesty and Ruth. The pavilion is a major feature of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, and unique in Victoria. It is a favourite subject for photographers, and Mrs Strange has captured it surrounded by massed small begonias. Mrs Bon Strange and her husband Bert were well known Ballarat residents. When Mrs Strange died some years ago, her extensive slide collection was sorted through and those relevant to Ballarat were gifted to the Ballarat Library. botanical gardens, lake wendouree, james russell thompson, statuary pavilion, weighing machine

Mrs Strange has captured the Gardens looking their leafy best, probably early Autumn, in this slide featuring colourful garden seating once a feature of the Gardens. Mrs Bon Strange and her husband Bert were well known Ballarat residents. When Mrs Strange died some years ago, her extensive slide collection was sorted through and those relevant to Ballarat were gifted to the Ballarat Library.botanical gardens, lake wendouree, statuary pavillion, william wallace statue, garden furniture

A delightfully framed shot of the Botanical Gardens in the mid to late 1950s. We can be reasonably sure of the date of this image because it shows the Keel House conservatory. Designed and fabricated in England, it was then re-assembled in the Ballarat Gardens in 1906. It was purely for display, only allowing public viewing through glass windows at either end. It became known as the Keel House because the roofline resembled a boat hull. The Keel House was replaced in 1959 by Cuthbert House, another conservatory which also did not allow public access. Cuthbert House was replaced in 1995 by the present Robert Clark conservatory, which allows public access for the first time. Note other details in this photograph, the sprinkler at full bore and the little boy hiding behind the sundial. Mrs Bon Strange and her husband Bert were well known Ballarat residents. When Mrs Strange died some years ago, her extensive slide collection was sorted through and those relevant to Ballarat were gifted to the Ballarat Library.greenhouse, glasshouse, keel glasshouse, garden, building, public building, ballarat botanical garden

Botanical Gardens at Ballarat, using bedding begonias which are no longer in use today due to drought conditions. Mrs Bon Strange and her husband Bert were well known Ballarat residents. When Mrs Strange died some years ago, her extensive slide collection was sorted through and those relevant to Ballarat were gifted to the Ballarat Library.botanical gardens, begonias, begonia festival, bedding plants

A small conservatory at the Eureka Stockade Gardens housed begonias which did not quite 'make the grade' to be shown at Cuthbert House at the Botanical Gardens. Visiting this hothouse was sometimes a way to 'beat the crowds'. Mrs Strange's photograph shows these begonias were still worth seeing. Mrs Bon Strange and her husband Bert were well known Ballarat residents. When Mrs Strange died some years ago, her extensive slide collection was sorted through and those relevant to Ballarat were gifted to the Ballarat Library.conservatory, begonias, begonia festival, eureka stockade

This leporello photo album, published by A.J Punshon, Bookseller contains 12 unique scenes around Ballarat, notably the Botanical Gardens and the Town Hall. The images appear hand drawn and are possibly lithographs. Inside the back-cover of the leporello is a tiny sticker identifying A.J Punshon Bookseller as the publisher or supplier. This sticker might be the only evidence of Punshon in business in Ballarat, apart from a single entry in Niven's 1888 Ballarat and District Directory, which gives his occupation as bookseller and address as 82 Dawson Street south. The only result from a search in Trove indicates he published the Australian Almanac for 1887. His name is not familiar as one of the booksellers of Ballarat. Alfred James Punshon was born in Prahan in 1856 to Isabella Lockwood and Robert Punshon; he married Elizabeth Lyons of Buningyong in 1881, they had two daughters, Ethel Mary in 1882 and Flora Hazel in 1894. It seems the family moved to Melbourne after Flora's birth. Elizabeth Punshon died in St.Kilda 1913 and Alfred died in 1938, in South Yarra. It seems in the early 1880's he set up as a bookseller and published at least two books but this is all we have been able to find out. If you have any additional information on Alfred Punshon, we would be pleased to hear it in the comments below! leporello, punshon family, lithograph, ballarat, publishing, publisher, album

View of the gardens along the Sturt Street median strip between Raglan and Errard Streets. sturt street, ballarat, gardens, raglan street, errard steet

Photo taken from the Town Hall Tower showing lower Sturt Street looking east. The Camp Hill Gardens can be seen.town hall, ballarat, sturt street, ballarat east

Sturt Street looking north east. You can see the shade frames over the seats in the median strip, spear iron fences enclose the garden beds and a drinking fountain. An open ended tram travels along the length of Sturt Street.sturt street, ballarat, tram, gardens

Statuary Pavillion, paths, topiary.statuary pavillion, botanic gardens, ballarat

Botanic Gardens. Statue and garden beds. Chilean pine tree.botanic gardens, ballarat, statue

Botanic Gardens pathway. Agapanthus grows in the garden beds.botanic gardens, ballarat, gardens

Botanic Gardens stone edged pathways and trimmed hedges.botanic gardens, ballarat, gardens

Eureka Gardens Swimming Pool.eureka gardens, ballarat east, pool, entertainment

Children look at a statue near the Statuary Pavilion at the Botanic Gardens.statuary pavilion, botanic gardens, statues

This photo shows the Fernery and Curator's House at the Ballarat Botanic Garden.garden, building, ballarat, botanic gardens, fernery, curator's house, statue

The photos show Verna Coombs and John Forrest sitting on seating at the Median Gardens of Sturt Street. In the background can be seen Craig's Grocery and Hoskins Stores.public, gardens, median gardens, sturt street, commerical, craig's grocery, hoskins stores, verna coombs, john forrest

1319 Sturt Street was built in 1928 for Dr. S.A. Wilson. It was a double brick residence with diagonal leadlight windows. Margaret Wilson and her mother can be seen in the second photo. In the third photo, Margaret by the tradesman's entrance in the garden. Along with 1321 Sturt Street, the house was demolished in 1962 and a Shell Service Station was built.building, private residence, s.a. wilson, margaret wilson, sturt street, ballarat, garden

Ian Wilson astride the cannon during the Cannon Centenary Celebrations at View Point, Lake Wendouree in 1938. Lollipop tiered light poles lit up red, green and yellow lights.garden, celebrations, cannon, view point, lake wendouree, centenary, ian wilson

statue, botanical gardens, public, lake wendouree

Tonner Memorial. Domed timber pergola.garden, public, ballarat botanic gardens

Located in Sturt Street, the Titanic Bandstand, Mechanics' Institute and Sutton's can be seen.streetscape, public, commercial, hotel, titanic bandstand, mechanics' institute, suttons, sturt street, camp street gardens.

This store was located at 35-37 Armstrong Street North. Out the front is a display of garden equipment and seeds. The site was later occupied by Greenfields.building, commercial, gordon brothers, armstrong street north

The exhibit is of the garden produce grown by Mr Louis Jones. Vegetables shown include Crookneck Squash, Custard Marrow and various pot plants.garden, vegetables, louis jones, gordon brothers

View from the Ballarat Town Hall Tower looking west. Buildings that can be seen are William Dawson Ironmonger and Walter Cornell Chemist. The slate roof of St Andrew's Kirk can also be seen.ballarat town hall tower, gardens, william dawson, walter cornell, commercial, st andrew's kirk, ballarat, ironmonger, chemist, church, sturt street

Looking west from Grenville Street along Sturt Street. A Horse Drawn Tram can be seen along with the Rotunda.sturt street, grenville street, streetscape, commerical, gardens, trams, horses, ballarat

Ballarat East Town Hall in Barkly Street. Complete with iron pallisade fence, statue and gardens.ballarat east town hall, ballarat, building, public, garden, statute